Padres Announce Details for Sunday’s Military Opening Day

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres today announced the complete lineup of events surrounding Military Opening Day presented by Northrop Grumman, this Sunday, April 12, which officially begins another full season of Salute to the Military Sundays.

Pregame ceremonies for Military Opening Day will include on-field recognition of more than 100 service members representing all branches of the Armed Services lining the base paths, as well as an aerial demonstration by the U.S. Navy Parachute team, also known as the Leap Frogs, and the 50 State Flag Team from Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

Sunday’s National Anthem will be performed by Navy Band Southwest led by Drum Major Musician Second Class Brian Parmann and under the direction of Chief Musician Gregory Bonistalli. At the conclusion of the National Anthem, a flyover will be conducted by two F-18 Super Hornets from the VFA-154 “Black Knights” out of Lemoore, Calif. In addition, Yeoman Third Class Blair Smith of the United States Navy will sing God Bless America during the 7th inning break. Smith comes from a military family with both parents having served, and is currently stationed with the Homeport Change Team USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

The Padres are proud to welcome Taya Kyle to throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch. Kyle, widow of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, will be joined at the mound by four of her husband’s former teammates. Kyle is the driving force behind the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation (www.chriskylefrogfoundation.org), which provides meaningful, interactive experiences to service members, first responders and their families, aimed at enriching their family relationships. Her book, American Wife, will be released next month.

Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker of the U.S. Navy will be on hand to ring the Padres Mission Bell presented by Mission Federal Credit Union. 11-year-old Natalie Gates, whose father is assigned to Helicopter Strike Maritime Squadron 73 and deployed with the Carl Vinson Strike Group, will serve as Sunday’s Play Ball kid. Prior to Natalie saying “play ball”, a special good luck message from her father will be shown. As part of “Military Take the Field” presented by USAA, nine Vietnam Veterans will take the field to greet Padres starters at each position in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

In support of Military Opening Day, presenting sponsor Northrop Grumman has donated 1,500 tickets for Sunday’s game to local military non-profits, and FOX Sports San Diego will provide transportation for Marines, Sailors, and their families from the Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton on its Fan Express.

More information about the 2015 lineup of Military Salutes this season, including five individual branch appreciation days presented by USAA, Military Spouse Appreciation Day presented by USAA, Salute to Veterans presented by Bank of America, Salute to a Military Child presented by Majestic, and Salute to the Military Family presented by USAA, can be found on the club’s dedicated military website, www.padres.com/military, which serves as a tool to connect Padres fans to our San Diego military community and non-profit organizations that support it.

The Padres are proud to offer active duty, reservists, retirees, veterans, and family members 25 percent off any available ticket for all Padres 2015 regular season home games at Petco Park. New this year, military can receive 50 percent off any available ticket at all Sunday regular season home games in 2015. The 2015 Military discount is based on seating availability and excludes Opening Day, Lexus Home Plate Club, All You Can Eat Seats and any other premium areas that include food. Discounted tickets are available online at padres.com/military through verification by GovX.com, at the Petco Park box office and local MWR/ITT ticket offices with proof of active-duty, reserve, veteran, dependents or retired status.